Because they matter

     A dear friend has encouraged me to write the following, and I have prayerfully taken her up on addressing a complex subject that has taken me a long time to process.

     It has been over a month since George Floyd was brutally murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.  It was a travesty, and should never have happened.  It was a heartbreaking event, and has led to further heartbreak as people have rioted (also resulting in a spike of Covid-19, which had been in decline prior to this).  It seems like the whole world has gone crazy.  

     Even before George Floyd's murder, the phrase (and organization) Black Lives Matter was well-known.  Some took exception to this phrase, arguing that all lives matter.  Others, while agreeing that all lives matter, insist that the statement is one of focus, bringing awareness to injustices that have come upon Black Americans.  There have been many such injustices in our nation's history, and it is inexcusable.  In the days following George Floyd's murder, a lot of awareness was raised.  Some people made very bold claims that, if you are White, you're part of the problem.  If you aren't financially supporting BLM, you are part of the problem.  If you aren't commenting on Facebook and other social media, you are part of the problem.  With these intimidating statements being made, is it any wonder I have felt hesitant to address it, and have taken some time to come to a response?  I've felt like saying anything was to walk on thin ice.  I've been concerned that, even with the best of intentions, I'd somehow be saying the wrong thing and getting numerous people angry with me. It's a lot to process.  In wanting to say what is right, I have needed God's guidance, and that has taken time.     

   Before I comment at all, I'm going to give you a link to two men who are much more informed and articulate than I am.  My favorite Bible teacher on YouTube is Allen Parr, who happens to be Black.  He and a White pastor friend of his put together this phenomenal video as a response to all of this, and how believers of all backgrounds might need to understand others, and what we can all do to bring healing.  It raises awareness in a biblical way.  You can view it here.  I truly hope you will.  

Allen Parr, one of my very favorite Bible teachers

     I guess the best place for me to start is my childhood.  I grew up in a Christian home in suburban Los Angeles.  While known as a racial melting pot, my neighborhood was predominantly Caucasian.  I was taught that God loved all people, and wanted all to be saved.  We were encouraged to learn Spanish, in order to share Christ with Spanish-speakers.  My parents taught me by example to love and value all people.  I remember being six years old at the park one day.  A family showed up while we were there with the friends we usually played with.  This new family happened to be Black, and I thought they were the most beautiful people I had ever seen.  I hadn't really had very much experience with children of other ancestries, and I was completely thrilled to get to play with these beautiful children.  I went to the oldest girl in the family, who was about a year older than me.  I kept running my hand over her arm and in her hair, telling her how pretty she was.  I was as in awe of her as I would have been of a movie star.  I probably kind of annoyed her!  Years later, when I went on a mission trip to Africa, I experienced the same touching and fascination toward me that I had given that beautiful Black girl all those years earlier.  I hope she knew it was complete admiration on my part.

     Yesterday, in our Bible club, we taught the children a G-rated version of the story of Rahab in the Old Testament, and how she, through faith, came to know the true God, and was grafted into God's people of Israel.  She married an Israelite man (showing us God's stamp of approval on inter-racial marriage, for anyone who had any doubts). Ruth (in the book of Ruth) was another example of a foreign woman embracing the true God and marrying into Israel (and both of these women were included in the lineage of Jesus).  In the New Testament, we see even more.  Originally, the early Christians thought the gospel was only for Jews, but in Acts 10, Peter led the first Gentile and his family to the Lord.   Philip led an Ethiopian Jew to Christ (Acts 8).  In Galatians 3:28, the Apostle Paul (who traveled the known world leading people of diverse backgrounds to Christ) writes, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Our different backgrounds shouldn't bring division.  We are all created in the image of God.  This means that Adam and Eve--the first two people ever created, and from whom all of us descended--had the genetics for all skin, hair and eye colors.  

     I worked at the YMCA with school-aged children for a number of years.  One of my coworkers was a sweet Christian woman with whom I had a deep bond.  Her name was Carol.  She and I got together every day to pray for the kids before we started work.  We desperately wanted the Lord to use us in these kids' lives, and in the lives of our unsaved coworkers.  Carol and I shared such a bond in Christ that we treated each other as family, and used to tell the kids we were cousins.  The funny thing is, I am 5 feet, seven inches tall, light-complexioned, and redheaded.  Carol was 4-foot-ten, old enough to be my mother, and was Black.  We didn't look like cousins.  The kids always sort of looked confused at us when we said this, but one day, a third-grader said, "I always kind of thought you were related."  She was seeing something supernatural.  That's what our bond is in the Lord.  Carol used to tell the kids (we had about one-third White, one-third Black, and one-third Hispanic students), "The only race is the human race."

     I have seen very little racial tension in my life, but I do not deny its existence.  I have had some unusual experiences that are not addressed by any media.  I have been called racist and part of the problem, not because of anything I said or did, but simply because my ancestors were from Europe.  Is this fair or right?  No!  I have been told that I come from a position of power, when, in reality, my power is the same as any American--voting.  I have been told I should feel guilty because some people with similar complexions to mine have owned slaves, or mistreated immigrants, even though I have never done these things, and my ancestors were against these things.  One time, at a job I was working, I had someone of another ancestry than myself misrepresent something I said, and twisted it until it was a prejudiced statement.  I got written up for this statement, and I was deeply hurt that I was lied about when my heart wasn't prejudiced or unkind at all.  I went to the HR department, and I was told, "You're White, so you're in the wrong.  You don't have rights."  That doesn't sound very just to me.  I was deeply hurt by this, and really had to depend on the Lord's healing, knowing that only He will bring perfect justice one day.  This coworker tried this on several more Caucasians, and every one of them complained.  When enough of them had, this woman finally got called out for her lying and prejudices.  In spite of these things, racial injustices have not played a big roll in my life.  I know there are things I don't understand.  I know there have been terrible injustices, much worse than what I have shared.  I am very open to hearing your experiences.  

     It seems like things are conspiring to divide us as Americans, people, and sadly, even as Christians.  We can't let that happen.  We need to follow Jesus' words, to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31).  There are people I completely disagree with politically, but I can still love them.  There are people who do things I find wrong and even repulsive, but I can still love them, and be courteous.  

     I share my view and opinion in respectful dialogue with those wishing to discuss it with me.  Otherwise, my vote speaks for me, as I said earlier.  This is a privilege every American citizen has.  We can vote, make our voices heard.  So many people in other lands would love to have that opportunity.  Sometimes, people have a need to be heard beyond simply voting or talking, and do things such as marches and demonstrations.  If these are peaceful, I believe this also is our privilege.  In my home state of California, the governor recently mandated that there be no singing in churches.  The reasoning used was that it could spread Covid-19 (interestingly, the governor didn't speak out against people rioting together and spreading Covid).  Many of my Christian friends in California gathered at local parks--socially distancing according to mandates--singing hymns.  I am proud of them for praising God's name in the face of being told not to.  They were peaceful.  These kinds of protests are acceptable.  The same is true for the peaceful protests in response to George Floyd's death.  It was wrong, and people were right to be outraged.  It was right to bring awareness to those of us who may not be in the thick of such injustice.  We need to be made aware.  However, burning down buildings, destroying people's business and properties, demonizing all law enforcement, and looting do nothing to help bring justice.  Even George Floyd's family has spoken out against this.  Many outstanding Black citizens of this country have been killed in the protests, including Black police officers.  This is not the way to resolve injustice.  

     If the organization Black Lives Matter were solely for raising awareness of injustices shown to Black Americans, and for bringing about justice and equality in situations where it may not exist, I would be 100% in favor of it.  I would give money to such a cause.  I would consider it a righteous cause that all Christians should support.  However, BLM is not entirely an honest name for the organization.  It isn't simply for supporting these Americans.  It supports causes that I, as a Bible-believing Christian, cannot get behind, such as Planned Parenthood, and promoting the LGBT(etc) agenda.  I have addressed these causes in other posts, and won't go into them here.  It is also a known fact that the top leaders of BLM (founder Patrisse Cullors and her fellow organizers) are practicing Marxists--an ideology which is not only anti-American but also anti-religion.  It is heartbreaking to me that a group who claims to stand for justice for Black America, is, in fact, supporting the organization that has murdered unborn Black children for years.  I cannot get behind the organization of BLM, regardless of how much I agree with the title.  Black lives do matter.  Where there has been hurt, may we who love the Lord be the first to bring healing. 

     

     

Chronology...or Not

     This has been a turbulent month for us.  We have gone full-time into the ministry.  To read more about that, read my previous post (written exactly a month ago).  In the midst of everything coming together, we have had some long days of ministry.  When things are busy, as they have been, I especially need my "down time" at some point during the day.  In my own personal time, I have been reading some old favorite books.  I wrote a Facebook post about it, and got some good feedback.  I would like to elaborate more on it, though, and hope you will enjoy the journey.  

I have always been an avid reader.  I came from a home where, every year, my parents had a bet to see who read the most books, and the loser had to buy the winner a candy bar on New Years Eve!  My mom usually won, hitting into the upper 90's (as in, she read 90-some books in the year), and my dad would be pretty close behind her.

     Favorite books are like old friends you come back to.  They seem to stand the test of time in your life.  A particular series that fits this description to me is The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis.  These books are allegorical, about the Christian life.  I have read this series numerous times growing up, and every time, I get something deeper from them for my own life.  I'm going to interact with them in this post.

     C.S. Lewis originally wrote the series from 1950-1956.  He started with the most famous book, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.  In this story, we meet the Pevencie siblings (though we don't learn their last name until a few books later), Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy.  They are evacuees from London during World War II.  They go to live in the country with Professor Kirk.  In his house, they discover a wardrobe in a spare room, which leads them into the fantasy world of Narnia.  In this world, they becoming involved in a battle between good and evil, and see Righteousness conquer.  The Christ figure in the series, a lion named Aslan, dies to redeem Edmond (who has become a traitor), and rises again, ultimately defeating evil in Narnia, and establishing the siblings and kings and queens.  This was the beginning of a series that even Lewis didn't foresee the ending of.  

    I, personally, became aware of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe in 1988, in grade school.  BBC made a television miniseries of the book.  I remember the commercial looked very exciting to me.  Showing scenes of the film, an exciting voice raised the intrigue, saying, "Two sons of Adam...two daughters of Eve...four thrones..."  I was hooked on the idea of this story!  I thought the two sons of Adam were Cain and Abel, and concluded the story was about the Bible.  I didn't know who the girls were, since we don't know Adam and Eve's daughter's names.  I was convinced it would show Cain killing Abel, and I hoped  it wouldn't be too gross or scary.  I also wondered why the kids in the scenes weren't dressed like Bible characters were "supposed" to dress.  They looked downright 20th century to me!  I really wanted to watch this movie!  I begged my mom, but she told me I had to read the book first!  You'd better believe I did!

1988 Cast of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

     I loved the story.  Every time I saw a lamppost, I thought about the lamppost they found when they first entered Narnia through the wardrobe.  I loved the biblical truths contained in this story.  I loved good triumphing over evil.  However, it wasn't until a few years later, when I was in junior high, that I read the rest of this wonderful series.  CS Lewis followed the first book with three others that continue the story of the Pevencies in Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Silver Chair  (which is actually about their cousin, to whom we are introduced in the previous book).  In these books, we get to know the Pevencies, and also see how Narnia develops.  Most importantly, we are introduced more deeply to Aslan.  The experiences the characters have relate to the Christian life.  We learn that the Pevencies' reign in Narnia is the Golden Age, the best time in Narnia's history.  Their last name is not mentioned until The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  In fact, I didn't even remember them having a last name when the 2005 movie came out, and actually used their last name.  I had wondered if the script writers had made up a last name, but upon re-reading the series, I realized it was in there. 

2005 version of the Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

 

    After The Silver Chair, Lewis went back in the narrative and wrote The Horse and His Boy which introduces some new characters, has some very in-depth experiences with Aslan, and also gives a look into what Narnia was like during the Golden Age, when Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy were reigning.  This book is really the only view we get into that time (other than a brief description at end of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe), and that alone would make it a worthwhile read.  However, the story itself is also priceless.  This became book five in the series, even though it takes place within the time described in the first book.  

     After this, Lewis wrote a sixth book about Narnia, known as The Magician's Nephew.  This is my second favorite in the series (my favorite being The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), and is the story about how Narnia started in the first place.  This book has Professor Kirk, from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, as a little boy named Digory Kirk.  Digory and his friend Polly are manipulated by his magician wannabe uncle into discovering other worlds.  They encounter an evil empress named Jadis in a dying empire known as Charn, and they inadvertently bring her back to our world.  In trying to get her back to her own world, they accidentally bring her to Narnia the very day of it's creation.  This story is an allegory about Creation, and sin entering the world.  It is deep and meaningful, but also quite funny, with Digory's Uncle Andrew (the mad scientist/magician) trying to justify what he is doing the whole time.  Since this is the sixth book written in the series, Lewis writes with more authority about Narnia.  He clearly knows it, and Alsan, much better than he did when he wrote the first book.  Jadis becomes the White Witch, and she is given a very different history in The Magician's Nephew than she was briefly given five books earlier in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.  However, since that description was so short and minimal, the inconsistency was probably not noticed when The Magician's Nephew was published five years later.  

     After these two books were written, Lewis jumped back into the original chronology and wrote a seventh and final book to the series, The Last Battle.  This is an allegory about end times, Christ's return, and our future with Him forever.  It is a beautiful story with a hope-filled, inspiring ending.  Not only does it continue to follow the previous characters, but also incorporates the character he introduced in The Horse and His Boy and The Magician's Nephew.  

     Some years later, in 1994, the series was republished in a different order.  The Magician's Nephew was put as book one, and The Horse and His Boy was put as book 3, taking place directly following The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.  The only real difference is the placement of these two books.  I recently asked people who read my author page to share their favorite order--the original or the newer, chronological order.  I enjoyed people's responses.  The biggest opinion I seemed to get was that most seemed to prefer the originally-published order.  Most preferred to have The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe as the first book in the series.  One reader pointed out that Lewis' writing develops with the series, and I agree with that.  As I said, there is much more familiarity with it in The Magician's Nephew, so to have that one first, then having The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe  after it does sort of seem like a step backwards.  Another person pointed out that, when we give unbelievers a Bible, we encourage them to read the gospel of John first, because they might not read anything else, and they need that so desperately for the rest to make sense.  In the same way, she said, readers need to read the redemption story first, which would make The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe book one.  Also worth noting, the character of Digory Kirk was already established in the Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe as an old, unmarried professor.  This rules out his ever marrying Polly Plummer, who is his friend and comrade in The Magician's Nephew.  In reality, I believe Lewis would have had them marry had he not already established this, because in his non-fiction book The Four Loves, he states that it is unlikely that two friends of the opposite sex would remain good friends without falling in love.  Sadly, he precluded that possibility for Digory and Polly.  

     To me, personally, I can read The Magician's Nephew as book one or book six without any real difference of opinion.  It fits both ways.  However, I do have more of an opinion about The Horse and His Boy.  I prefer the "new" chronological order for that one.  I think it is very powerful coming right after The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and before Prince Caspian.  The Horse and His Boy illustrates what Narnia was like during the Golden Age.  Reading that, and then following it up with their return to a desolate Narnia hundreds of years later in Prince Caspian is very substantial.  The contrast is very blunt, and makes the point stronger.  

     Some powerful points I take from the series:

     *One thing I love in the 2005 movie is an added scene that takes place after the ending credits.  It shows Lucy slowly, almost shyly, approaching the wardrobe, attempting to return to Narnia.  Just as she gets there, the Professor stops her and says, "I don't think you'll get back in that way."  She looks startled and turns to him.  With longing in his eyes, the Professor adds, "You see, I've already tried."  Even without knowing the story of The Magician's Nephew, you gather that he's had experiences there that brought him much joy--experiences he would love to relive, just as Lucy is trying to do.  Lucy asks him, "Will we ever go back?"  He replies, "I expect so, but it will probably happen when you're not looking for it.  All I'm saying is to keep your eyes open."  Contentedly assured, Lucy takes his hand and they walk away.  Behind them, the wardrobe opens slightly, light comes out, and Aslan roars.  His presence still hangs in the air, even though it isn't time for them to return to Narnia.  And I relate to that.  I have had moments in my life that I consider "preludes to Heaven" where God's joy hovered all over me, and everything seemed right and perfect.  These times never last very long, but they serve as a reminder for what waits beyond this life.  One such time for me was growing up in a close-knit church family.  For a few years, it really seemed perfect, and that was a time when God shaped my ideals of life.  Another "prelude" was my first year as a summer missionary in high school.  God just gives us those moments when we need them.  But we can't go back and try to recreate them on our own, just like the Professor and Lucy can't get back into Narnia through the wardrobe.  It happens when we're not looking for it...but Jesus is still there.

     *In The Horse and His Boy, a young man named Shasta has lived all his life believing himself to be an unloved Calormen child of an abusive father, when instead, he is stolen royalty.  As he comes to understand who he is (during an exciting escape), he encounters Aslan, and learns that the hardest experiences of their journey and of his life have been times Aslan was sovereignly working for his good.  It gives me a different perspective of my own experiences.  Aslan also tells both Shasta and Aravis, "I tell no one any story but his own."  God doesn't owe me an explanation how He deals with others (even though I sometimes want one!).

     *In Prince Caspian, Lucy is so excited to see Aslan again, in the midst of finding Narnia in decay.  When it turns out Aslan has different plans than Lucy, she says "I thought you would come roaring in and frighten all the enemies away--like last time.  And now, everything is going to be horrid."  Aslan replies, "It is hard for you, little one, but things never happen the same way twice.  It has been hard for all of us in Narnia before now."  Lucy pulls it together and says, "I'm sorry Aslan.  I'm ready now."  He tells her, "Now, you are a lioness, and now all Narnia will be renewed."  That is so deep and rich to me.  Sort of like what I said about "preludes" we can't recreate the workings of God from the past.  God has new plans.  If God worked by patterns and formula, we wouldn't need faith.  We have to trust Him and follow His leading, even if things aren't working the same way as we had hoped.  We have to believe God has a plan, even when we can't see.  Aslan definitely does in this book, as can be seen by the end.  And, as Aslan promised Lucy, we find renewal when we trust and obey.  In fact, we not only find renewal, but bring it to the situation.  I'm reminded of the phrase, you can't live on past victories.  In a sense, that's true, because things don't happen the same way again.  But, we aren't to forget those victories.  In other places in this book, it refers to the Pevencies being encouraged by seeing sites where they once won victories.  I think we're supposed to remember, but also trust the Lord for what is to come next.  

     *In the book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, when Lucy and Edmond are told at the end that they will never return to Narnia, they are devastated.  "It isn't Narnia, you know," Lucy tells him.  "It's you.  We shan't meet you there.  How shall we live never meeting you?" 

     "But you shall meet me, dear one," says Alsan.

     "Are--are you there too, Sir?" asks Edmond.

     "I am," replies Aslan.  "But there I have another name.  You must learn to know me by that name.  This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here fro a little, you may know m better there."  

     I used this passage in my Bible College graduation speech (I was salutatorian).  When we have to leave places or stages of life, we need to find the Lord in our new place.  That's the whole point.  Each stage of life--everywhere we go---everyone we meet--is meant to show us Jesus, and that by knowing Him where we are, we'll know Him better in the next step.  Romans 8:29-30 tells us that God makes us like Jesus.  We are predestined, called, justified and glorified.  

     *In The Magician's Nephew, Aslan says of Uncle Andrew, "Oh Adam's sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good!"  That convicts me.  I have let fear keep me from certain things in my life.  This phrase has stuck with me.  Whenever I'm tempted to walk away from a situation that might be good for me, I am reminded of this, and I often choose to stay.  

     *And who can beat the end of The Last Battle: ‘There was a real railway accident,’ said Aslan softly. ‘Your father and mother and all of you are???as you used to call it in the Shadowlands???dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.’??

And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at least they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.

     That is all I have to say.  What are your favorite life lessons from this series?  

Partnerships

     I have deeply appreciate every one of you, my readers.  Very little excites or blesses me more than hearing from you.  It makes my day.  I'd like to ask you some questions, and would love your insight, and would also love to share some stories with you about things God has recently been doing.

     Since you follow me, you know what's on my heart, but I'd like to know what's on yours.  You all come from different backgrounds.  Tell me about your family.  What fills most of your time?

     Here's a little bit deeper question.  Do you believe Christians in this day and age are fulfilling the Great Comission (Christ's command to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth)?  I have several differing opinions on the subject, different ways to answer that, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.  Where is your place in the Great Comission?  Where do you see yourself?  What are some ways you've been used of God?

     Did you know that 85% of people who come to know Christ do so before the age of 14?  That's a staggering statistic!  With all the upheaval of 2020 so far, God has really redirected my husband and me, and we have a burden to reach these young people with the gospel during their formative years.  We will be serving as home missionaries with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Arkansas.  We'd love to have your partnership with us, because, as Paul said to the Philippians, Not that I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. (Philippians 4:17).  We'd love to share the spiritual fruit with you.

A Child Evangelism Fellowship sponsored 5-day club in Le Mars, Iowa, 2018. 

     Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) was founded in 1937 by J. Irvin Overholtzer.  The goal of CEF is "To evangelize children with the gospel of Christ, to disciple them in the word of God, and to establish them in a local church for Christian living."  CEF is organized in all 50 US states, and in every nation on earth, except North Korea (and they're praying for opportunities there!).  I have been involved with CEF in several capacities over the years.  My husband and I will be serving in Little Rock Arkansas.  I will be serving as the local director of the ministry, and Walter will be a ministry ambassador, representing it to churches and other ministries.  We will be setting up and conducting Good News Clubs, camps, and training classes in order to get the gospel to the children of Arkansas.

     When I think about the impact I've seen CEF have, I always think of Heather.  I met Heather in 2002, when she signed up to be a summer missionary with us.  She attended our Christian Youth in Action training.  When the time came for her to teacher her first 5-day Bible club, she was enthusiastic and happy as she stared, but when she got to the end of the story, the part where the gospel was shared, she burst into tears.  Through her tears, she told the children what Jesus had done for us.  By the end, everyone was crying!  Five children gave their lives to Christ.  Heather was on fire!  At the time, I thought, Wow, she's passionate!"  About six months later, Heather shared with me that she hadn't truly been saved until that moment.  That was the first time she understood the gospel for herself!  Wow!  I had had no idea our ministry had done that in her life!  Heather continued being involved, and is now a fulltime missionary with CEF in San Diego county.

Heather and her husband Ferdinand.  They have served the Lord in the Philippines and now the San Diego area.  

     The last few years have been a little bit uncertain for us.  My husband has been chasing a graduate degree, and, for various reasons, programs have closed.  We spent two years in South Dakota and one year in Albuquerque.  Just last year, my husband got a job he was really excited about, and that led us to move to Texas.  All seemed well for several months.  I thought we were finally getting our footing.  However, Covid-19 threw us all for a loop.  Walter's job closed down permanently, and he was unable to get unemployment.  We have been living on our savings account these months.  We decided to do the Experiencing God Bible study together, and that really opened our hearts to the idea that God had something else in store.  In the midst of this, our beloved pastor from South Dakota, Steve Walters, passed away after a short battle with cancer.  This grieved us, and also lit a fire in us to do ministry.  Then, another tragedy struck when a good ministry friend of mine, Lisa Belk, was murdered in Iowa in mid-April.  Lisa had been the local director of CEF in her area, and I had gotten to work with her when we lived in South Dakota (right on the Iowa state line).  After some prayer, I asked the ministry people up in Iowa if there was a need we could fill.  We were told that they were okay in that department, but that there were needs in Arkansas.  Another good friend of mine from Iowa had moved down there, and was involved in CEF.  I contacted her.  One thing led to another, and God opened the door for us, just at the right time!  We move June 17, and start ministry July 1.

South Dakota

New Mexico

Entering Texas September 2, 2019.  It turned out to be a much shorter chapter than planned.

     One of CEF's key scripture verses says, Even so, it is not the will of your Father which is in Heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:14).  This verse always makes me think about Liam*.  I met Liam when he was in fourth grade.  He was part of our ministry, but made it every clear he was Jewish and didn't believe in Jesus.  His parents weren't even seriously practicing Judaism, but he enjoyed the identity it gave him.  One day, I told him, "Liam, did you know Jesus was Jewish?"  He looked surprised at this, but then laughed and said ,"I don't need that stuff!"  I shrugged and turned to walk away.  "Wait!" Liam called out after I'd gotten about three steps.  "Come back!"  I did.  "I think I do need Jesus," he said humbly.  That day, Liam received Christ as his Savior.  After that, he told everyone, "I'm related to Jesus in two ways!  I'm Jewish like him and I'm His child!"  The last time I saw him, he had graduated from sixth grade and was moving on to Junior High.  He hugged me and said, "I'm so glad I'm going to Heaven!"

     I'll never forget the day I met two of my dearest friends, Paul and Loni.  They joined our church when I was eighteen so I can honestly say I have known them all of my adult life.  When I met them, I had just gotten back from my first overseas mission trip.  I had the honor of teaching their grandchildren in AWANA and children's church.  We enjoyed spending time together, and they quickly became good friends with my parents as well, becoming almost a second set of parents to me.  When I made the choice to go into the ministry, they were behind me 100%.  They helped me in very practical ways.  At the time, we all lived in the same area, and Paul offered to do my car repairs for free.  They offered me emotional and spiritual support as well, being trusted friends I could talk to about ministry.  I remember one time, as Paul was working on my car, he cheerfully told me, "I do this because I know it's saving souls."

My 1990 Toyota Corolla, which Paul did many repairs on, took me all over the county to share the gospel before it breathed its last!.

     Children are the future's leaders.  They will inhabit tomorrow.  My husband always remembered a defining moment as a teenager.  His youth pastor told them on a particular evening, "You are the future doctors, professors, leaders.  You are the future."  He has since always felt a burden to make sure these future adults had the Lord in their lives, and had the chance to receive Him at that critical time in life when they were most likely to do so.  By praying and partnering with our ministry, you are reaching tomorrow's leaders.

     Some years ago, I was teaching a Good News Club in an RV park.  The little general store had a back room, and they opened it up for us to do the Bible club.  Children came from all over the neighborhood, and at first I was really excited.  I quickly became overwhelmed, though.  It was a rowdy group, and very hard to maintain.  One particular day, it got so out of control the store owner had to come in and yell at all the kids.  I began to dread my weekly Bible club there.  One day, though, as I was getting out of my car, a three-year-old who came with his big brother and sister spotted me and yelled, "Hi church!"  I was his church!  This Good News Club was the place he was hearing about the Lord.  My heart softened, and I was able to have a better perspective.  This little boy's family took an interest in what their children were learning.  A solid, Bible-teaching church in town adopted our Bible club, and the pastor showed up and introduced himself to the children and their families.  The family of this little boy who said, "Hi church!" ended up all coming to know Christ, joining that church, and growing in faith!

It is thrilling to see children and families join a local body after our basic evangelism to them.  

     I had shared at the beginning that I would love to have your partnership with us in this ministry.  What does that look like?  Well, with you as our partner, here are three things we would do for you: First, we would be an extension of your ministry.  You would be part of that impact of reaching Arkansas' children for Christ.  Second, we would communicate with you--not just in this type of way but personal one-on-one emails, letters and phone calls.  We want an actual friendship with you.  The third thing we'd do goes along with that, and that is, we would pray for your regularly.  We'd be someone you could share your needs with and know we'd be praying for you.  As our partners, there are three things you could do for us as well.  The first would be to pray for us.  We will definitely need it and greatly value it.  Second is to financially invest in this ministry.  The third is to advocate for our ministry--share these stories I've shared with others who might also want to be part of this work.

     If you would like to partner with us, we would be overjoyed.  Below is our missionary prayer card, with information for contacting us as well as supporting us (you can give online or write a check and mail it in).  If it is too small to read, click on it, and it should be larger. Please reach out to us as a friend. We long to share this spiritual fruit with you, as well as friendship. My basic email address is jstoermer1982@gmail.com